Our commitments and our values
Focused on contemporary creation in heritage as well as in the performing arts and particularly in dance, the Endowment Fund positions itself through philanthropy on research in creation for the benefit of artists as well as the public, especially those who are far from culture.
The missions of the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund are :
the preservation and enhancement of French artistic and cultural heritage
the support and promotion of contemporary artistic creation
the organization and support of educational and social actions, through art, in particular for the benefit of the underprivileged or those far from culture.
From his years of learning piano and classical dance, Francis Kurkdjian quickly understood that his path would be marked by passion, exigency and perseverance.
As a great lover of performative creations, he maintains a close relationship with the world of culture in many disciplines.
After creating the Per Fumum Endowment Fund dedicated to perfume, in 2020 he organized his patronage actions for the performing arts, by creating the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund, for visibility and innovation in contemporary creation, whether heritage or artistic.
The Governance
The board
It defines the political orientations and selects the projects whose implementation and follow-up are ensured by the Executive Director.
From his years of learning piano and classical dance, Francis Kurkdjian quickly understood that his path would be marked by passion, exigency and perseverance.
As a great lover of performative creations, he maintains a close relationship with the world of culture in many disciplines.
After creating the Per Fumum Endowment Fund dedicated to perfume, in 2020 he organized his patronage actions for the performing arts, by creating the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund, for visibility and innovation in contemporary creation, whether heritage or artistic.
“Wisdom is to have dreams big enough not to lose sight when we pursue them.”
Oscar Wilde
Working closely with Francis Kurkdjian for over ten years, Delphine Pinet is quite familiar with this saying which rings true to her each day through the projects and encounters sparked by her curious and multifaceted nature. Her role as an Event project manager and personal assistant naturally made her an important member of the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund which demonstrates the constant and bold philanthropic efforts undertaken by Francis Kurkdjian since its creation.
As former Chairman of the Hauts-de-Seine lawyers Bar Association, Philippe-Henri led the Not-for-Profit Organizations network at EY for nearly 25 years. Former member of the French High Committee for Association Life and of the French Higher Council for the Social and Solidarity Economy, he uses his non-market sector legal expertise to advise the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund and its partners. His vision of what is at stake is, above all, guided by his respect for authentic and loyal commitment that Francis Kurkdjian has to his passions.
Qualified personalities
Through their expertise, they provide valuable support to the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund.
Craft & Design
After studying Art History, Alain Lardet began a career dedicated to drawing parallels between the cultural, social and economic aspects of design and expertise. He co-created and led, until 2018, the Agora Pour le Design grant awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication. He is a founding member and Honorary Chairman of Designer's Days, which organises its eponymous week of design in Paris, and he also curates exhibitions including “L’Intelligence de la Main” in Venice in 2018.
Contemporary Art
Cristiano Leone earned a PhD in Romance Philology and an Executive Master in Management. He teaches Artistic Direction at Sciences Po Paris and Performing Arts at Bocconi Universites. He oversaw projects on Education and Training at Sorbonne University, then was Head of Cultural Programming and Communication at the French Academy in Rome - Villa Medici. He designed and directed the multidisciplinary Festival Ō at the National Roman Museum's Baths of Diocletian, which has recently ventured into the Palazzo Altemps as well.
Cultural institutions
For many years now, Monia Triki has been working with cultural institutions and artists to develop committed and innovative projects. She runs programmes aimed at renewing encounters between artists and audiences, but also strives to support contemporary creation, for greater cultural democratisation with a strong social impact. Its universe is nourished by large-scale networks of theatres, operas and artists from all over the world. His artistic encounters are among the figures who have passed through these great houses and prestigious venues.
Culture
After studying history and political science, Catherine Pégard began her career as a journalist in 1977. From 1977 to 1994, she commented on French political life in turn for the newspapers J'informe, Le Quotidien de Paris, Le Point of which she became editor in chief in 1995. In May 2007, Catherine Pégard left Le Point to become advisor to the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy. Catherine Pégard was subsequently appointed, in the Council of Ministers, to the Presidency of the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles in 2011. It will be renewed twice until 2023.
The Executive Director
"At the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund, we don't wait for things to happen to act, we act where necessary to create a positive impact that goes beyond us and benefits the greatest number.
Enabling the creation of new avenues of exploration for artists and new ways out for vulnerable audiences is a leitmotif that drives me every day.
To be the patron of the Perspective and to offer serenity, these are the ambitions that the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund takes up at the cost of mutual trust with its partners and beneficiaries.”
From working for major luxury and cosmetics companies to founding a consultancy firm dedicated to brands strategies and a start-up, Stéphanie Prinet Morou is an ambassador for cultural and multicultural expertise. Eclectic and confident that the Creative and Cultural Industries represent catalysts for innovation and development, she met Francis Kurkdjian and stepped into a world where meaning and value come together.
Today at the Francis Kurkdjian Endowment Fund she strives to explore new avenues.